Variability, heritability and genetic association in vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.)

Umakanta Sarker,Md Tofazzal Islam,Md Golam Rabbani,Shinya Oba

doi:10.5424/sjar/2015132-6843

Abstract

Forty three vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) genotypes selected from different eco-geographic regions of Bangladesh were evaluated during 3 years (2012-2014) for genetic variability, heritability and genetic association among mineral elements and quality and agronomic traits in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications. The analysis showed that vegetable amaranth is a rich source of K, Ca, Mg, proteins and dietary fibre with average values among the 43 genotypes (1.014%, 2.476%, 2.984, 1.258% and 7.81%, respectively). Six genotypes (VA13, VA14, VA16, VA18, VA26, VA27) showed a biological yield >2000 g/m2 and high mineral, protein and dietary fibre contents; eleven genotypes had high amount of minerals, protein and dietary fibre with above average biological yield; nine genotypes had below average biological yield but were rich in minerals, protein and dietary fibre. Biological yield exhibited a strong positive correlation with leaf area, shoot weight, shoot/root weight and stem base diameter. Insignificant genotypic correlation was observed among mineral, quality and agronomic traits, except K vs. Mg, protein vs. dietary fibre and stem base diameter vs. Ca. Some of these genotypes can be used for improvement of vegetable amaranth regarding mineral, protein and dietary fibre content without compromising yield loss.

Highlights

Amaranths (Amaranthus sp.) include a group of versatile food crops exhibiting high adaptability to new environments, even in the presence of different biotic and abiotic stresses (Rana et al, 2007)
Biological yield, leaf area, shoot/root weight, shoot weight and dietary fibre content had high to moderate genotypic and phenotypic variances along with genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values, which indicate scope for improvement in these traits through selection due to predominance of additive gene action for these traits
It is considered that if a trait is governed by nonadditive gene action it may give high heritability but low genetic advance, which limits the scope for improvement through selection, whereas if it is governed by additive gene action, heritability and genetic advance would be high, substantial gain can be achieved through selection

Summary

Introduction

Amaranths (Amaranthus sp.) include a group of versatile food crops exhibiting high adaptability to new environments, even in the presence of different biotic and abiotic stresses (Rana et al, 2007). Amaranth leaves are a rich and inexpensive source of dietary fibre, proteins, vitamins and a wide range of minerals (Prakash & Pal, 1991; Shukla et al, 2003; Routray et al, 2012; Venskutonis & Kraujalis; 2013). They serve as an alternative source of nutrition for vegetarian people in developing countries where the bulk of the population has little access to protein-rich food

Methods

Results

Conclusion